The Cambridge Companion to American Protestantism

A comprehensive guide—from both chronological and a topical perspective—to a broad, diverse, deeply rooted, and influential religious tradition.

Jason E. Vickers (Edited by), Jennifer Woodruff Tait (Edited by)

9781108706834, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 May 2022

450 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 2.7 cm, 0.78 kg

American Protestantism has been the dominant form of Christianity in United States since the colonial era and has had a profound impact on American society. Understanding this religious tradition is, thus, crucial to understanding American culture. This Companion offers a comprehensive overview of  American Protestantism. It considers all its major streams—Anglican, Reformed, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Baptist, Stone-Campbell, Methodist, Holiness, and Pentecostal. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, theology, liturgics, and religious studies, it explores the beliefs and practices around which American Protestant life has revolved. The volume also provides a chronological overview of the tradition's entire history, addresses its prominent theological and sociological features, and explores its numerous intersections with American culture. Aimed at undergraduate and graduate students, as well as an interested general audience, this Companion will be useful both for insiders and outsiders to the American Protestant tradition.

Part I. Historical Overview: 1. Early America Jonathan Den Hartog
2. From the Revolution to the civil war Jeffrey B. Webb
3. The industrial age, 1865-1945 Andrea L. Turpin
4. Protestantism and American culture: From the Vietnam war to 9/11 Skylar Ray And Elesha J. Coffman
Part II. The Religious Culture of American Protestantism: 5. Bible, Doctrine, and Theology Jason E. Vickers
6. Preaching and worship Jonathan A. Powers
7. Education Steven Hoskins
8. Work and Vocation Joshua R. Sweeden
9. Politics and Government Daniel K. Williams
10. Temperance Jennifer Woodruff Tait
11. Gender, Sexuality, and Marriage Elizabeth H. Flowers and Karen K. Seat
12. From slavery to black lives matter: American Protestants and race Dennis C. Dickerson
13. Faith healing and modern medicine Candy Gunther Brown
14. Mental Illness Heather Hartung Vacek
15. Protestant-Catholic ecumenism and the meanings of American freedom Maura Jane Farrelly
16. Missions Melody Maxwell
Part III. Theological Traditions: 17. Anglicanism Robert W. Prichard
18. The reformed tradition Edwin Woodruff Tait
19. The Lutheran tradition Mark Granquist
20. Brethren and Mennonite Traditions William Kostlevy
21. Baptists Nicholas T. Pruitt
22. The Stone-Campbell movement Mark E. Powell
23. Wesleyan-Methodist and holiness traditions Douglas M. Strong
24. Pentecostalism Chris E.W. Green.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2]